Coin operated apparatus

ABSTRACT

A coin collecting and counting device includes a turntable which directs coins by centrifugal force from a coin inlet to a coin path leading from the turntable periphery to respective coin outlets having coin validators for each type of coin along the path of coin movement.

United States Patent [191 Propice et a1.

[ COIN OPERATED APPARATUS [75] Inventors: Roger Propice, Courbevoie;Carlos Da Rocha, Choisy-le-Roi, both of France [73] Assignee: CompagnieIndustrielle Des Telecommunications Cit-Alcatel, Paris, France [22]Filed: Oct. 20, 1971 [2]] Appl. No.: 190,847

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Oct. 23, 1970 France 7038391 [52]US. Cl 194/99, 133/3 D, 194/100 A [51] Int. Cl. G071 3/00 [58] Field ofSearch 133/3, 8; 194/100 A, 99;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Blanchette 133/3 R 51 Jan.29, 1974 1,964,966 7/1934 Troy 194/100 A 2,977,961 4/1961 Buchholz 133/3R 811,559 2/1906 Hess 133/3 R 1,288,091 12/1918 McPheeters.. 133/3 R3,242,932 3/1966 Becker 133/3 R 3,086,536 4/1963 Klopp 133/3 R 2,881,7754/1959 Miller 133/3 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,154,219 6/1969Great Britain Primary ExaminerRobert B. Reeves Assistant ExaminerThomasE. Kocovsky Attorney, Agent, or FirmSughrue, Rothwell, Mion, Zinn &Macpeak [57] ABSTRACT A coin collecting and counting device includes aturntable which directs coins by centrifugalv force from a coin inlet toa coin path leading from the turntable periphery to respective coinoutlets having coin validators for each type of coin along the path ofcoin movement.

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTED I974 3,788,440

SHEET 2 OF 2 /\TOTAL|ZER COMPARATOR INDICATOR ELECTROMAGNET I COINOPERATED APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention concerns improvements in coin-operated apparatus,and is particularly although not exclusively applicable to machines forautomatically collecting tolls payable on entry to a motorway.

Such machines must not only minimize the risk of people avoiding payingthe toll but still using the mo- 1 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Inaccordance with the present invention, there is provided coin-operatedapparatus including a substantially horizontal turntable onto whichcoins are directed from a coin inlet and from which they arecentrifugally directed one at a time to a passage leading from theperiphery of the first turntable to a coin path on which they aredirected to respective coin outlets, a respective coin validation devicefor each type of coin being situated on the path of movement of thecoins between the outlet of the passage and the first coin outlet andcomprising a signal source and a detector of the signal.

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of examplesonly and with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings BRIEFDESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of part of theapparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows that part of the apparatus in vertical cross-section.

FIG. 3 is an elevational sectional view of the coin validation devicesof the apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a further part of the apparatus.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative construction of that part of the apparatusshown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, asubstantially horizontal first turntable l is driven in rotation about avertical axis in the direction of the arrow 11. A central zone 12 ofthis first turntable 1 is situated at the base of a coinreceiving chute(not shown) leading from a coin inlet (not shown) of the apparatus.Coins introduced into the apparatus through the coin inlet are directedonto the central portion 12 of the first turntable 1.

This central coin-receiving portion is limited by a fixed verticalannular wall 13 which is apertured at 14 to provide communicationbetween the coin-receiving portion 12 and a passage indicated generallyat 15 leading to a second turntable 2.

The aperture 14 has a length in the plane of the figure which isslightly greater than the diameter of the largest coin accepted by theapparatus. Its height perpendicular to the plane of the figure isslightly greater than the thickness of the thickest acceptable coin.

As coins fall onto the central portion 12, they are centrifugally urgedagainst the fixed wall 13, eventually passing through aperture 14 intothe passage 15.

The passage 15 comprises part of the peripheral region of the turntable1, and is limited on one side by the fixed wall 13 and on the other sideby a fixed outer wall 16. The inner wall 13 is continued by a tangentialwall portion 18 and the outer wall 16 by a tangential portion 19parallel to portion 18. These extend the passage 15 0 to the peripheryof a disc 2.

After passing through the aperture 14, each coin is carried around theperiphery of the first turntable 1 and is then directed centrifugallybetween wall portion 18 and 19 onto the disc 2. Peripheral portions 17and 23 of the turntable 1 and disc 2 respectively, are closely adjacent.

The coin-receiving chute (not shown) is suitably arranged to be readilydetachable, and to this end may be attached to the apparatus by means ofa magnetic coupling. Thus where the apparatus is used for controllingentry of vehicles to a motorway or the like, should part of one vehiclestricke the coin-receiving chute, it will be readily detached from theapparatus without damaging the latter.

REferring to FIGS. 1 and 2, above the disc 2, which i is nonrotatable,is a second turntable 3. This is driven in rotation about an axis 30 inthedirection shown by arrow 31, that is to say in the opposite directionto that in which turntable 1 rotates. On its lower face, that facing thedisc 2, the turntable 3 is provided with a peripheral elastic loop 32which is intended to drive coins on the disc 2 around its periphery,pressing elastically against the upper surface of each coin. As itleaves the passage 15, each coin arrives on the periphery of the disc 2,is engaged by the elastic loop 32, and begins to move around the discperiphery. This is limited by a vertical annular wall 22 which isapertured at 23 to permit entry of the coins. The outer annular wall 16associated with turntable l is similarly apertured at 17.

It will be supposed that the apparatus is able to distinguish betweenand accept three types of coins. Consequently, the disc 2 defines threecoin outlets 24, 25, and 26, one for each type of coin. These aresituated on the periphery of the disc 2 at an appropriate distance fromthe outlet of the passage 15. Between this outlet and the first coinoutlet 24 are disposed three coin validation devices 41, 43 and 45, onefor each type of coin.

Turntable 1 carries a pulley 51 and is driven via a belt by a motor 5. Asecond belt on the pulley 51 is coupled to a pulley 53 carried by theturntable 3. The speed of rotation of the turntable 3 is suitablyslightly greater than that of turntable 1.

Referring to FIG. 3, coins 47, 48 and 49 are shown on the disc 3 andprogressively decrease in diameter. It will be supposed that the coinsare of a magnetic material. Above the disc 2 and turntable 3, on asupport 28 are mounted electromagnets 41, 43 and 45 incorporatingmagnetic cores whose outside diameters are substantially equal to thoseof the three types of coins. Directly below disc 2, is situated arespective electromagnetic detector on a support 27. These detectors arereferenced at 42, 44 and 46.

When the electromagnets are energized with an alternating current, thealternating magnetic flux passes through the turntable 3 and disc 2,which are made of an appropriate material to permit such passage, togenerate in the respective detectors a signal depending on the nature ofthe coin passing between the electromagnet and the detector. Thestrength of this signal will depend on the diameter and thickness of thecoin, its material and so on.

It will be appreciated that where the coins are nonmagnetic, thevalidation devices will comprise other forms of signal source withappropriate detectors. French Pat. No. 1,465,636 and Canadian Pat. No.1,154,219 disclose typical non-magnetic validation devices. Withmetallic coins, for example, devices operating by detecting Foucaultcurrents in the coins may be used.

Whatever type of detector is used, if its output during the passage of acoin lies between two predetermined values, that coin will be taken tobe of the value associated with that detector. If the signal liesoutside these two values, the coin will be noted as having anothervalue, and may, of course, be recognized by one of the other twodetectors.

The detectors may each be connected to a device for recording the totalvalue of the coins of that type passing it in a given period, the threesuch devices being connected to a totalizer indicating the total valueof all three types of coins.

A further check on the coins is provided by the coiner 24, 25 and 26.The radial width of these progressively increase, that of the first 24being slightly greater than thediameter of the smallest coin 49, that isthe next 25 slightly greater than the middle-size coin 48, and that ofthe last 26 slightly greater than the largest coin 47. As will beapparent from FIG. 1, the largest coins pass over outlets 24 and 25 anddrop through outlet 26, the middle-size coins pass over outlet 24 anddrop into outlet 25, and the smallest coins drop into outlet 24. Anylarger coins will pass over all three outlets and remain on the disc 2.Means for detecting and removing such coins may be provided if required.

As coins will generally begin to drop through the coin outlets beforethe totalizer has indicated that their total value is correct, eachoutlet is associated with a respective temporary coin store. These holdthe coins from each outlet until their total value has been checked,then passing the accumulated coins to a permanent store or to a refundoutlet of the apparatus, from which they may be retrieved by the personinserting them in the appartus.

FIG. 4 shows one such temporary store. It will be appreciated that threeof these are required in the present example, one for each type of coin.

The coins fall into a space 6 defined between pivoted plates 61 and 62.These plates are pivoted about respective horizontal axis 63 and 64,have at their edges opposite to the axis flanges which, with the platesin a storage position contact one another to close the space 6. Theplates 61 and 62 are biased into this storage position by respectivesprings 65 and 66.

Plate 61 may be rotated clockwise (as seen in the Figure) about its axis63 by an electromagnet 72. On such rotation, the space 6 communicateswith a coinreceiving hopper 7, into which the coins accumulated in thespace 6 naturally fall.

Plate 62 is rotatable anticlockwise (as seen in the Figure) about itsaxis 64, by an electromagnet 82 so allowing the coins in space 6 to fallinto a return chute 8.

The totalizer is represented at 55 and is connected with an element 56indicating the total amount which should be inserted to the apparatus toachieve the desired result to a comparator 57. When the totalizer valuecoincides with the required value, a relay 58 energizes electromagnet 72toaccept the coin. If the final totalized value does not coincide withthe required value, or if it exceeds it, a relay 59 energizeselectromagnet 82, to pass the coin to the return chute 8.

The cash box 7 may be common to all three temporary coin stores,constituting the permanent coin store. The return chute 8 may also becommon to all three temporary stores, or each store may have its ownchute, the three chutes leading to a common outlet.

FIG. 5 shows a modified form of the arrangement of the turntable l andthe disc 2. Elements common to FIGS. 1 and 5 carry the same referencenumerals.

The central coin-receiving portion 12 on turntable 1 is eccentric withrespect to' the turntable axis 10. Furthermore, that portion of theperiphery of turntable l forming part of the passageway 15 is very muchshorter than is the case in FIG. 1, the aperture 14 being situatedclosely adjacent the wall portions 18 and 19. The passageway 15 istherefore very short.

The combination of the eccentric coin-receiving portion 12 and the shortpassage 15 effects a considerable reduction in the time required for acoin reaching the turntable l to pass to the disc 2.

This arrangement may be further modified by having the centralcoin-receiving zone concentric with the turntable axis 10, but havingonly the base of the coinreceiving portion 12 rotatable. In thisarrangement, the passage 15 must be made as short as possible.

Returning to the case illustrated in FIG. 5, where the whole turntable 1is rotatable, a fixed brush 9 is mounted between walls 13 and 16immediately upstream (in the sense of rotation of the turntable 1) ofthe aperture 14. This continually sweeps the turntable surface 1, sothat the floor of the passage 15 is continually kept clean. A similarbrush may be provided in the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, being mountedimmediately adjacent the wall portion 18, on its downstream side in thesense of rotation of the turntable.

The brush may be replaced by any other suitable cleaning means, such asa blast of compressed air for example.

The apparatus is provided with a light source 91 mounted opposite aphoto-sensitive element 92, the source 91 directing light through anaperture in wall 13, across the coin-receivingportion 12, through afurther aperture in the wall 13 onto the element 92. These apertures andthe light source and photo-sensitive element are suitably arranged sothat coins lying flat in the coin-receiving portion 12 do not obstructthe beam, but that any object whose height exceeds the thickness of thethickest coin acceptable to the apparatus Will interrupt the beam toprovide an indication of its presence. The apparatus may then beprovided with a system (not shown) for removing any such object. Thismight include, for example, a pivoted portion of the wall 13,immediately upstream of which will be mounted a swinging arm or likedevice for pushing any such object out of the coin-receiving portion 12through the opened panel. Means would suitably be provided for returningany coins accidentally removed from portion 12 to the person currentlyusing the apparatus.

Altemately, the ejector. system may be so arranged that it does notoperate until a complete cycle is finished, so that no coins should bepresent in portion 12.

In another alternative ejector arrangement, more particularly suitablefor the system of FIG. 1, the coin exit slot 14 is replaced by a cutoutWhose length in the plane of the Figure is greater than the diameter ofthe largest coin but less than the separation of walls 13 and 16, andwhose height perpendicular to this plane is as large as practicable.Consequently, objects larger than the coins but small enough to movealong passage 15 leave the coin-receiving portion 12 and enter thepassage.

A portion of the outer wall 16 then has an aperture whose length in theplane of the Figure is at least equal to that of the cut-out and whichdoes not extend quite to the turntable surface. Adjacent this apertureis a deflecting arm or the like which is high enough above the turntablesurface to allow coins to pass beneath it but arranged to push anylarger objects out through the aperture, over the sill extending fromthe bottom of the aperture to the turntable surface and serving toretain the coins in the passage 15.

It may happen from time to time that a coin falls onto thecoin-receiving portion 12 in such a way that it is pressed verticallyagainst the wall 13, with its edge rolling or sliding on the turntablel. The internal surface of the wall 13 is therefore suitably providedwith projections 93 shaped so as to knock over any such coin to liehorizontally on the turntable 1. These projections 93 are suitablymounted above the turntable l at a distance slightly greater than thethickness of the thickest coin acceptable to the apparatus.

The coin chute (not shown) leading from the coin inlet to thecoin-receiving portion 12 of the turntable 1 may be provided with agrill the apertures of which are slightly larger than the largest coinacceptable to the apparatus. The grill is suitably a two-level one, thetwo grill sections being separated by a distance slightly greater thanthe diameter of the largest coin. The chute or the grill may bevibrated. Consequently, all coins of the appropriate size shouldeventually pass through the grill to the coin-receiving portion 12 ofthe turntable 1, any larger coins or other objects remaining in thechute supported by the grill. Means may be provided for retrieving anysuch large coins, and for removing any such objects from the chute.

It will be appreciated that various further modifications may be made tothe apparatus, depending on the particular application in each case. Forexample, where used for automatically receiving tolls, the indicator 56will in general need to display only one value, that of the fixed toll.In other applications, where the apparatus is required to accept variousamounts, the indicator 56 will be arranged to display the particularamount associated with a particular function. For example, if theapparatus were to authorize parking for one hour or two hours, theselection of this period by the user of the apparatus would cause theelement 56 to display the appropriate sum to the comparator 57.

While,in this specification, the apparatus has been referred to ascoin-operated, it will be appreciated that the invention is equallyapplicable to token-operated apparatus, that is to say, apparatus whichis operated by tokens of one sort or another which must be inserted intothe apparatus in the appropriate combination to secure a given function.

surface, and positioned adjacent said first rotatable turntable, a fixedannular wall surrounding both turntables,

opposed slots within the sides of said wall permitting passage of saidcoins from said first turntable to a position on said fixed horizontalsurface, beneath said second rotatable turntable adjacent the peripherythereof,

means for rotating both turntables,

means carried by said second turntable adjacent the periphery thereoffor pressing coins passing through said slots between said secondturntable and said fixed surface and to drive said coins angularly inthe direction of said second turntable rotation and into contact withthe wall surrounding the periphery of the second turntable,

a plurality of coin outlets within said fixed horizontal surfacedownstream from said annular slot of said fixed annular wallsurroundingsaid second turntable for respectively receiving coins of a given type,and

coin validation devices for each type of coin fixedly situated, insequence, along the path of movement of said coins between said slotsand the first coin outlet, in operative relationship with said movingcoins and with each device including a signal source and detector of thesignal.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each signal sourcecomprises an electromagnet disposed above the path of movement of thecoins.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the passage includes atleast part of the peripheral region of the first turntable outside theannular wall and means for cleaning the peripheral first turntablesurface at a point upstream of that at which the coins pass onto it.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cleaning meansinclude a fixed brush.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first turntable hasa central coin-receiving portion limited by a fixed inner annular wall,said wall being apertured to provide communication between thecoinreceiving portion and the passage inlet.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the coin-receivingportion of the first turntable is eccentric with respectto the turntableaxis of rotation.

thickest coin accepted by the apparatus.

1. A coin operated apparatus comprising: a substantially horizontal,first turntable onto which coins are directed and from which they arecentrifugally directed, a fixed horizontal surface adjacent said firstturntable and generally coplanar therewith, a second rotatable turntableoverlying said fixed horizontal surface, spaced slightly from saidhorizontal surface, and positioned adjacent said first rotatableturntable, a fixed annular wall surrounding both turntables, opposedslots within the sides of said wall permitting passage of said coinsfrom said first turntable to a position on said fixed horizontalsurface, beneath said second rotatable turntable adjacent the peripherythereof, means for rotating both turntables, means carried by saidsecond turntable adjacent the periphery thereof for pressing coinspassing through said slots between said second turntable and said fixedsurface and to drive said coins angularly in the direction of saidsecond turntable rotation and into contact with the wall surrounding theperiphery of the second turntable, a plurality of coin outlets withinsaid fixed horizontal surface downstream from said annular slot of saidfixed annular wall surrounding said second turntable for respectivelyreceiving coins of a given type, and coin validation devices for eachtype of coin fixedly situated, in sequence, along the path of movementof said coins between said slots and the first coin outlet, in operativerelationship with said moving coins and with each device including asignal source and detector of the signal.
 2. The apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, wherein each signal source comprises an electromagnet disposedabove the path of movement of the coins.
 3. The apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the passage includes at least part of the peripheralregion of the first turntable outside the annular wall and means forcleaning the peripheral first turntable surface at a point upstream ofthat at which the coins pass onto it.
 4. The apparatus as claimed inclaim 3, wherein the cleaning means inClude a fixed brush.
 5. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first turntable has acentral coin-receiving portion limited by a fixed inner annular wall,said wall being apertured to provide communication between thecoin-receiving portion and the passage inlet.
 6. The apparatus asclaimed in claim 5, wherein the coin-receiving portion of the firstturntable is eccentric with respect to the turntable axis of rotation.7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the internal surface ofthe inner annular wall is provided with projections whose distance fromthe first turntable surface is slightly greater than the thickness ofthe thickest coin accepted by the apparatus.